Hakaru Mori Shihan

Hakaru Mori, one of Hisa`s top students, was first drawn to Daito-ryu after seeing a poster for Hisa Sensei on a wall of the building where he worked. Mori Sensei was 30 years of age and had a fascination for ko-ryu (old style) martial arts so he decided to go along to Hisa sensei`s dojo. Mori Sensei was quite taken with Hisa Sensei as a person, as well as being captivated by his techniques. Mori sensei has since taken a life long path to practice and preserve Daito-ryu the way that Hisa Sensei intended.

Hakaru Mori was born in Kagawa Prefecture on the 18th of September 1931. Mori Sensei grew up on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan`s main islands where he also met his wife. Mori studied law at University, becoming a lawyer in 1956. Six years later Mori joined Hisa Sensei`s dojo in July of 1962. Mori was to receive Kyoju dairi (instructors certification) from Hisa sensei in 1965. Mori studied with Hisa sensei solidly for 11 years until Hisa left the Kansai region for Ogikubo in Tokyo in 1971. In 1973 Mori sensei was awarded Hachidan (8th dan).

Hisa sensei’s move to Tokyo in 1971 was due to failing health, with his children convincing him to move so he could be closer to them. This brought about some difficulties for students that were practicing Daito-ryu in the Kansai region. To enable practice to progress the students decided to meet once a year and invite Hisa Sensei to visit from Tokyo. This yearly meeting grew in popularity. The Takumakai was formed as a result to enable students to further their practice.

In December 1978, Hisa Sensei bestowed the title Somucho (director) of the newly formed Takumakai upon Mori Sensei. When doing so Hisa Sensei impressed upon Mori the depth of responsibility of this role, which Mori sensei has always carried with him. 2008 marks 30 years that Mori Sensei has been at the helm of the Takumakai. Over that time the Takumakai has become one of the most successful ko-ryu jujutsu organizations in the world with branches on three continents outside Japan.